Method of treating bovine masititis



United States Patent 3,347,743 TREATING BOVINE MASTITIS Ashland, Ohio, and George N. Hill,

This invention relates to the treatment of mastitis, and more particularly, to the treatment of bovine mastitis with novel compositions and devices.

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary glands. Bovine mastitis occurs wherever dairy cattle are kept. It has been estimated that economic losses caused by bovine mastitis amount to over one hundred million dollars annually in the United States. These losses are caused chiefly by a decrease in milk production and the loss of milk that must be discarded because it is not fit for human use. Frequently, the infected cow must be removed from the herd and dried up. In extreme cases the animal becomes so severely infected that she dies.

Most cases of bovine mastitis are caused by bacterial infection of the mammary gland. A variety of microorganisms cause the condition. The most frequently found microorganism in cases of bovine mastitis are Streptococci, particularly Streptococcus agalactiae which propagates only in the udder. Micrococci such as Micrococcus pyogenes (Staphylococcus aureus) are also recognized as a cause of bovine mastitis. Still other infectious microorganisms such as Corynebacterium pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteritidz's, Clostridium perfringens, and others are also believed to be responsible for cases of mastitis. Mastitis may exist in acute or chronic forms, and often effects the cow during its entire life unless properly treated.

Treatment of infectious mastitis and control of the infection has been by means of antibacterial agents such as acr' avine, iodine, sulfa drugs, antibiotics, nitrofurans, hexamethylenetetramine, and steroids such as cortisone. Although some cases are successfully treated by massive intramuscular injections of an antibacterial agent, the usual treatment has been to infuse the mammary gland with a solution or suspension of an antibacterial agent.

amounts usually sinus (milk cistern) through the teat with a syringe. The treatment is repeated from day to day as may be necessary.

The method of treatment of bovine mastitis in accordance with the present invention involves the inflation of the udder with a relatively large volume of an inert gas having suspended in antibacterial agent or mixtures thereof. Micronized with the antibacterial if desired.

It has been found that as much as 3 liters of an inert gas, such as carbon dioxide, can be infused into one quarter of the udder of a cow from a pressure vessel in which the gas is maintained at an initial pressure of 90 pounds per square inch without indication of damage to the mammary gland. Micronized particles of the medicinal agents are thereby distributed over a large surface area of the bovine mammary gland where bacteria causing mastitis exist.

thorough dispersion within the lactiferous sinus.

The volume of the inert gas used to infuse the medicameat throughout the udder may vary from about 50 cc. up to 3,000 cc., at atmospheric pressure, for each quarter treated. Although the suspension of the medicament in the inert gas may be introduced into the udder by any convenient means, the preferred means is by use of a pressure container which holds the inert gas and medicament at pressures up to about pounds per square inch. A suitable valve and cannula are provided. Preferably the pressurized container is relatively small having a capacity of about 8 fluid ounces although larger sizes may be used.

smaller containers, are particularly useful mals such as sheep and The inert gas should be one which is type is characterized by having a compartment holding tflowing gas passing through the compartment in which the powder is stored as the gas is released.

Example cation until the pressure reached 90 pounds per square inch. The contents of such a pressurized container were infused into the left rear quarter of a purebred Holstein cow with the aid of a plastic teat cannula which was fitted over the metal sleeve of the valve of the container.

This left rear quarter was infused with a similar dust aerosol after each of three consecutive milkings. The irritant effect of the treatment was determined by measuring leukocyte response with Breeds technique of cell enumeration (neutrophils per milliliter of milk).

Cell counts from each of thefour foremilk samples were made after initiation of the treatment until the con clusion of the experiment. In this case there was no indication of physical irritation exhibited by the cow, the treated gland, or the resulting milk production. Crepitations were palpable up to forty-eight hours after the last treatment indicating a residual presence of carbon dioxide. Leukocyte response was pronounced in the treated quarter. However, the leukocyte count gradually declined indicating a transitory inflammation. Milk production was not adversely effected as a result of the treatment. No residues of the medicament were found in the milk after a period of twenty-four hours.

As stated above, the volume of the inert gas infused into each quarter of an infected udder may vary from about 50 cc. up to 3,000 cc. measured at atmospheric pressure. These volumes are readily held in pressurized containers of the aerosol type mentioned above. The pressure should not exceed about 90 pounds per square inch. A conventional 16-ounce container having an actual working capacity of 520 cc. can hold 3,000 cc. of carbon dioxide at a pressure of approximately 85 pounds per square inch. The 8-ounce pressurized containers can hold approximately 1800 cc. of carbon dioxide gas at a pressure of 90 pounds per square inch. Lower pressures can be used with larger sized containers. The volume and pressure relationships are readily calculated and may vary with the intended treatment.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of treating mastitis which comprises inflating the infected lactiferous sinus with to 3,000 cc. of an inert gas having in suspension an effective amount of a medicament effective for treating mastitis of a particle size within the range of 0.005 to 5 microns.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 in which the inert gas is carbon dioxide.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1 in which the medicament comprises a therapeutically eifective nitrofuran.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1 in which the therapeutic agent comprises procaine penicillin.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 in which the medicament comprises a therapeutically effective sulfonamide.

6. A method of treating mastitis in cattle which comprises introducing into an infected quarter of the udder 1,000 to 3,000 cc. of carbon dioxide gas carrying in sus pension an effective amount of an antibacterial agent effective for treating mastitis having a particle size within the range 0.005 to 5 mircons.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,861,024 11/1958 Silver 167-532 3,135,658 6/1964 Hanus et a1. 167-532 OTHER REFERENCES Veterinary Bulletin, vol. 23, 1953, page 2 (Item 6).

SAM ROSEN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF TREATING MASTITIS WHICH COMPRISES INFLATING THE INFECTED LACTIFEROUS SINUS WITH 50 TO 3,000 CC. OF AN INERT GAS HAVING IN SUSPENSION AN EFFECTIVE AMOUNT OF A MEDICAMENT EFFECTIVE FOR TREATING MASTITIS OF A PARTICLE SIZE WITHIN THE RANGE OF 0.005 TO 5 MICRONS. 